Resp Care
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To determine whether propofol affects spontaneous breathing patterns in critically ill patients recovering from respiratory failure during initial attempts at liberation from mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Propofol causes changes in breathing pattern that could lead a caregiver to erroneously conclude that a patient is not ready to begin spontaneous breathing trials. Since this effect has also been noted following benzodiazepine infusion, the clinician should consider the patient's "sedation history" when using RSBI to guide weaning decisions.